Around the NBA: Rockets withstand rain delays to top Wizards

Sunday

Jan 12, 2014 at 12:01 AMJan 12, 2014 at 11:05 AM

Rockets 114, Wizards 107: There were two rain delays at an NBA game last night, a curious happening followed by another strange turn of events: Visiting Houston built a 25-point lead, lost all of it and then some, then rallied from a five-point deficit late in the fourth quarter for a victory over Washington.

Rockets 114, Wizards 107: There were two rain delays at an NBA game last night, a curious happening followed by another strange turn of events: Visiting Houston built a 25-point lead, lost all of it and then some, then rallied from a five-point deficit late in the fourth quarter for a victory over Washington.

Long after the stoppages of 35 and 22 minutes because of a leak in the roof, James Hardin tied the score with a driving layup with 2:33 left, then gave the Rockets the lead again with a three-point play with 1:54 remaining. He finished with 25 points to lead the Rockets, who made only four field goals in the final quarter yet closed with a 17-5 run.

John Wall led Washington’s comeback and finished with 23 points and 10 assists. The Wizards lost their fourth straight home game and fell to 2-14 against teams that are .500 or better

LAST NIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS

Pistons 110, Suns 108: Josh Smith’s driving, left-handed bank shot with 1.2 seconds left gave host Detroit the victory. Smith was involved in a few big plays in the final half-minute — both good and bad. His three-pointer as the shot clock expired put Detroit ahead 108-105 with 26.8 seconds left. Then he fouled Gerald Green while Green was attempting a three-pointer. Green made all three free throws to tie the score with 4.3 seconds remaining.

Smith took the ensuing inbounds pass near the top of the key, drove to the right and then switched hands, making a tough shot while being tightly defended by Channing Frye.

Bulls 103, Bobcats 97: D.J. Augustin had 20 points and 12 assists, and Joakim Noah added 19 points and 14 rebounds for host Chicago, which won its fifth straight game and improved to 3-0 since trading Luol Deng to the Cavaliers.

Knicks 102, 76ers 92: Amare Stoudemire scored 21 points and Carmelo Anthony added 18 for visiting New York, which has won four straight.

J.R. Smith returned from a one-game benching for unsportsmanlike conduct and had 11 points for the Knicks.